On Saturday, 12th September, Sam Gyimah MP issued a call for more people to become active in the community to help people living with Dementia.

The East Surrey MP made the call as he and his wife Nicky became Dementia Friends. Becoming a dementia friend is an induction into the challenges that people with Dementia face, and understanding how we can all play our part to support them.  

This follows on from the first ever East Surrey Dementia Summit, which the MP organised earlier this year in Bletchingley. The event brought together the public, Dementia charities and clinical experts to shed light on what is being done locally to improve diagnosis and support for people with dementia.

More information on the Dementia Friends Scheme can be found at https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/.

Sam Gyimah MP said:  “Dementia is one of the greatest health challenges of our time, which can have a truly devastating impact on sufferers’ lives. Almost every one of us will know someone living with dementia – whether we are carers, friends, or family members.  It can affect anyone, with over 1 million people projected to have dementia in the UK by 2025.

"We can all make a difference to support people living with dementia, by becoming Dementia Friends and Champions, and I will be encouraging people across our area to get involved.”